Barge RTC503; Hells Gate, NY Harbor, NY

Hells Gate, NY Harbor, NY | 2005-Jan-06

Initial Notification: A fuel-oil tanker ran aground in the East River. It was first feared that some of the 446-foot long barge's 130,000 barrels of home-heating oil on board had spilled. But by daybreak divers determined not a drop had leaked. The barge was towed to the docks under the Whitestone Bridge, and divers were in the water just after 6:30 a.m. to look at the extent of the damage. The tugboat hauling that barge ran aground around 7:20 p.m. Thursday near the Hell's Gate Bride. A Staten Island transportation company owns the tugboat. The captain was tested for drugs and alcohol and tests came back negative. The barge is now being assessed for stability. NOAA provide trajectory and weather information.